Double Feature

June 2015 - June is here and, hopefully, also some summerlike weather. Springtime in NEPA has been on the cool side. So, here are some romantic comedies that may (or may not) warm your heart.

In 2011's R-rated Friends with Benefits, Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis hook up, break up and make up. The recognizable supporting cast includes Woody Harrelson as Timberlake's wise, gay friend, Jenna Elfman as Timberlake's older sister and Patricia Clarkson as Kunis's free-spirited mom.

Timberlake plays Dylan, a California boy recruited by headhunter Jamie (Kunis) to come east and take over as Art Director at a popular men's magazine in New York City. Jamie shows Dylan around and the two become friends. It's hands off, though, until one night, after a few beers, they decide to add sex to their activities. They swear it's "just sex," but they're the last ones to find out what everyone else already knows.

Overall review: Liked it. This is a good role for Timberlake. He gets to say witty lines, sing a little and dance a little. It's a role he fills naturally. Plus, he has good chemistry with Kunis. I liked seeing Jenna Elfman for what seemed like the first time in a while, and she and the rest of the supporting cast hold up their end of the bargain. Friends with Benefits isn't a great movie, but it is fun, it moves quickly and it has energy to spare.

Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet bring their own energies to A lot like Love, a PG-13 film from 2005 in which they perform a seven-year mating dance.

Kutcher plays Oliver, a college graduate trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life. Peet is Emily, a free-spirited artistic type. Their first meeting happens at the airport, where both are headed to New York City. Before they even know each other's names, they've joined the mile-high club. Then, they spend an enchanting day seeing the sights and snapping pictures in the park. But, Emily informs Oliver that he has three strikes against him, so the end of the day appears to be the end of the relationship.

But, it's not, of course. A few years later, Emily calls up Oliver because she needs a New Year's Eve date. A couple years after that, Oliver ends up on Emily's doorstep when his girlfriend dumps him. Clearly, they have a connection, but they can't seem to commit. Things keep getting in the way, like Oliver's plan to sell diapers over the internet, and Emily, well, there is that three strike thing to consider.

Overall review: Ehh, it was OK. On the plus side, the movie has a decent soundtrack. Kutcher and Peet are easy to watch, and they seem to have fun with the movie. But, there is that three-strike thing to consider. Emily refuses to commit to Oliver until she realizes that maybe that first strike was a little unfair. And, it took her seven years to figure that out because she waited seven years to develop a roll of film.